| "City ravaged by chain explosions...chemical | | | | also need water for food preparation, |
| company razed...oil refineries explode and | | | | bathing, brushing teeth and dish washing. |
| burn...utilities disrupted...water supply | | | | Store a 3-5 day supply of water (a minimum of |
| condemned after a fire broke out on a | | | | at least 5 gallons for each person). |
| freighter in port." | | | | |
| | | | A clean water supply is also essential for |
| "Power outage sparks one of the worst water | | | | fighting disease and medical emergencies. For |
| crises in the city's history as all four | | | | example, any loss of blood increases our |
| water pumps go down at once." | | | | water intake requirements substantially. |
| | | | |
| "Seven people dead and 2,300 ill after one of | | | | Bottled water is helpful and easy, but it may |
| the town's wells becomes contaminated with E. | | | | not always be available. For example, if both |
| Coli." | | | | the water infrastructure and transportation |
| | | | system are unusable, deliveries of bottled |
| These headlines are not the result of | | | | water and other supplies might be difficult |
| terrorist activities. Accidents, lack of | | | | if not impossible. What would you do when |
| training and expertise and equipment failure | | | | your bottled water supply ran out? What if |
| brought about these disasters, which | | | | the local stores ran out or the supply was |
| highlight the vulnerability of our water | | | | contaminated? This kind of scenario could |
| systems. If these types of incidents were | | | | easily happen in a major hurricane, |
| purposely carried out by terrorists, the loss | | | | earthquake or terrorist attack. There are |
| and destruction could be far worse. Our | | | | several things that you can do to prepare for |
| nation's water systems can be disrupted and | | | | this eventuality. |
| are potential targets for terrorism. | | | | |
| | | | First, become knowledgeable and file the |
| J. Edgar Hoover, in 1941, warned that our | | | | necessary information where it will be |
| water systems were potentially vulnerable | | | | readily available in an emergency, such as in |
| targets. Because they are critical to our way | | | | your emergency kit. There are plenty of |
| of life and the economic viability of our | | | | resources available to help you prepare. |
| country, Presidential Directive 63 (May 1998) | | | | |
| identified our nation's water systems as one | | | | To start, check the Department of Homeland |
| of the eight critical infrastructures subject | | | | Security, FEMA and CDC websites for emergency |
| to attack by terrorists. | | | | preparation information. |
| | | | |
| Reducing Our Vulnerability | | | | Second, in addition to the recommended three |
| | | | day supply of food and water, consider |
| Much has been done to improve security and | | | | storing additional water in larger storage |
| reduce our vulnerability since the 9/11 | | | | tanks or drums in the garage, basement or |
| terrorist attacks in the United States. We | | | | storage shed. Plastic water storage tanks and |
| have struck back at terrorism militarily. | | | | drums, which are generally recommended, are |
| Congress has passed several landmark pieces | | | | relatively inexpensive. An additional 200 |
| of legislation. The Department of Homeland | | | | gallons of water storage would extend your |
| Security was established. Industries, | | | | water supply to 200 days for one person or 50 |
| businesses and critical sections of the | | | | days for a family of four. Make sure to also |
| infrastructure, including water suppliers, | | | | have an emergency kit in your car as you |
| have done vulnerability studies and continue | | | | might not be at home when an emergency |
| to implement strategies to reduce their | | | | situation occurs. |
| vulnerability. | | | | |
| | | | Third, be sure to include some simple water |
| Impacts of Hurricane Katrina | | | | disinfectant tools available so that you can |
| | | | make use of any available raw water supplies. |
| Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 are a | | | | One such disinfectant is common, unscented, |
| perfect example of a major water and | | | | liquid, household bleach. |
| wastewater system disruption. Thousands of | | | | |
| people were directly impacted for months and | | | | Several simple techniques for disinfecting |
| many still have not returned to the affected | | | | water are listed below. |
| areas. | | | | |
| | | | Boiling-Boil vigorously for one minute. At |
| According to a Congressional Research Service | | | | altitudes above one mile, boil for three |
| Report for Congress dated October 19, 2005, | | | | minutes. |
| the EPA estimated that more than 1,220 | | | | |
| drinking water systems and more than 200 | | | | Chlorine Bleach-When boiling is not |
| wastewater treatment facilities in Louisiana, | | | | practical, chemical disinfection should be |
| Mississippi and Alabama had been impacted by | | | | used. The two chemicals commonly used are |
| the hurricane. | | | | chlorine and iodine. When the available |
| | | | chlorine in the bleach is known use the |
| The same CRS report notes that two weeks | | | | following ratios:1% - 10 drops per quart, 4 |
| after the hurricane, 30% of the affected | | | | to 6% - 2 drops per quart, 7 to 10% - 1 drop |
| drinking water systems and 40% of the | | | | per quart, if unknown use 10 drops per quart. |
| affected wastewater facilities were again | | | | If water is cloudy or the water temperature |
| operational. However, many of the inoperable | | | | is extremely cold double, the amount of |
| drinking water and wastewater plants serve | | | | chlorine. |
| the largest number of customers. | | | | |
| | | | Tincture of Iodine-Common household iodine |
| Federal, state and local agencies shipped in | | | | from the medicine chest or first aid kit may |
| bottled water and bulk water supplies. For | | | | be used to disinfect water. Add five drops of |
| instance, one company (Anheuser-Busch) | | | | 2 percent United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) |
| donated more than two million cans of water | | | | Tincture of iodine to each quart of clear |
| per week to the Katrina relief efforts in | | | | water. For cloudy water add ten drops and let |
| September 2005. | | | | the solution stand for at least 30 minutes. |
| | | | |
| Citizen Preparedness | | | | Fourth, there are a variety of small, |
| | | | portable water decontamination units |
| However, since we are still vulnerable, how | | | | specially made for hikers and backpackers. |
| would the citizens of this country react to a | | | | These units are designed to take raw water |
| prolonged disruption of their water supply? | | | | from streams or lakes and make it potable. |
| The Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans | | | | |
| gives us an idea. Many area water and | | | | Having one or two of these units per family |
| wastewater systems were disrupted for days, | | | | of four is an excellent option. Plus, |
| weeks or months. Water and food supplies had | | | | including one of these units in your |
| to be brought in for months afterward. | | | | emergency automobile kit is also recommended. |
| | | | |
| The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), | | | | Much of what is being done to protect our |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | | | | water supply can only really be effective if |
| and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) | | | | Americans themselves become informed and |
| recommend having at least a three day supply | | | | aware. The American Water Works Association |
| of food and water per person to cope with any | | | | (AWWA) notes, "In many cities and small |
| emergency. The minimum drinking water | | | | towns, the public is the first line of |
| suggested supply is 1 gallon per person per | | | | defense, serving as an extra set of eyes |
| day. The US Army Survival Manual uses an | | | | watching over key utility assets such as |
| absolute minimum of 2 quarts per day per | | | | tanks, reservoirs and even fire hydrants." |
| person in a cold climate and much more in a | | | | This first line of defense also extends to |
| hot climate. Activity level also affects your | | | | our families and communities by being |
| water intake requirement. In addition, you | | | | prepared for a water system disruption. |